The Boy Scouts of America honored Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman and Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano at the 2014 Distinguished Citizen Awards Dinner on Wednesday, May 28, at Fiddlers Elbow Country Club in Bedminster for serving as exemplary role models for the youth of our area. These recipients were chosen for their outstanding services as evidenced by the interest and leadership they have demonstrated within the community of Somerset County.

They are citizens who live the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. The 2014 co-chairmen were Steve Kalafer, chairman, Flemington Car and Truck Country and owner of the Somerset Patriots and Michael Bateman, Vice President of Willis.

Senator Bateman has served the 16th District in the Legislature since January 1994. In 2004 he was appointed to the Legislative Services Commission and the Mandated Health Benefits Advisory Commission. He is currently a partner with the law firm of DiFrancesco, Bateman, Coley, Yospin, Kunzman, Davis and Lehrer, P.C. Other public service includes serving on the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1988-1994. He was also a member of the Branchburg Township Committee from January 1983 to February 1988, and was Mayor in 1986.

Sheriff Provenzano is a lifelong resident of Somerset County who resides in the Borough of Raritan with his wife Lou Ann. The sheriff joined Bridgewater Township Police Department in 1968 and retired in 2001 as Captain of the Administration Division. As a member of Bridgewater Police he saw all aspects of police work. He has been the Somerset County Sheriff since January 2002. Prior to being Sheriff, his experience included working road patrol to undercover assignments in the detective bureau to serving as the Commander of Emergency Service Division, which included SCUBA, Heavy Rescue and Haz-Mat.

Honoring Distinguished Citizens delivers a firm message to youth – that Character Counts. The lives of Distinguished Citizens put in place the guideposts that serve to inspire our youth to lead, to accept responsibility, and to care about the principles and causes beyond self-interest. In keeping with tradition, this year’s recipients of the Boy Scouts of America’s Distinguished Citizen Award selected the council’s “At-Risk” youth programs as the focus. The “At-Risk” programs support all youth that need extra help, support and encouragement based upon financial need or other issues with regards to health, education, and overall welfare. This is a growing issue in New Jersey and must be addressed in a positive manner.

The Boy Scouts of America serve more than 4.6 million youth between the ages of 7 and 20; the BSA is the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. The Scouting movement is comprised of 1.2 million volunteers, whose dedication of time and resources has enabled has enabled the BSA to remain the nation’s leading youth serving organization. This year’s honorees have proven to be outstanding role models to our youth in Somerset County.